Among those whom Jesus and the disciples encountered on their journey from the Mount of Transfiguration to Mount Calvary were children. He consistently demonstrated a great tenderness and love for them. He sometimes used them as examples of tender faith and trust. Through the ages, artists have often depicted Jesus as engaging with children with the most tender of eyes. He is often displayed as listening to them.
Jesus has the highest praise for those who help children see He loves them. There are so many who do this so well. Among them are parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, baptismal Godparents, teachers, pastors, mentors, and so many more. For all these people, God be praised!
While Jesus has high praise and affirmation for those who share His love for them, He has the harshest criticism for those who cause a child to sin. Jesus has no patience for those who thwart children from knowing Him. Children are simply too precious to Him-all children!
As we journey to Calvary this Lent, may every effort to share God's love with children be blessed. May every accidental or intentional word or act that would cause a little child to sin be blocked.
THE PRAYER: As You, O Jesus, loved children, so may our every effort to love children be blessed. Amen.
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